The best thing about running a blog is coming across stuff you didn’t hear back in the day. So thanks Mike for sharing a “new” 80’s/90’s band/ project , Voice Farm were from San Francisco, California and remind me of a synth version of the B-52’s. Vocalist Charly Brown and sound designer Myke Reilly actually met in 1980 and made witty comment about popular culture through use of samples and synths. A dancier Negativland!
Voice Farm Featuring The Super E.Q. Team – Hey Freethinker (US 12″)
From 1991 and a jaunty slice of synthpop. Featuring the “Super E.Q. Team” (various sampled and treated voices) The actual samples of the day were not too overly used. Sounds like Jan Hammer in places but weird and wacky enough. B-side “Follow The Lonely” is a Stax soul tribute with funk and sampled orchestra with Bryan Ferry style vocals.
NEW LINK 2018
https://www82.zippyshare.com/v/BkqqG6he/file.html
Morgan Creek Records – 2959-26006-1
A1 | Hey Freethinker (Extended Dance Version) | 7:49 |
A2 | Hey Freethinker (Album Version) | 5:49 |
B1 | Hey Freethinker (Dub Version) | 4:50 |
B2 | Follow The Lonely | 3:45 |
Voice Farm – Free Love (US Remix)
Risque themes are investigated here with the playful 12″ from 1991. Fun to be had in all the mixes. Catchy as a big catchy thing with the worryingly titled “Brutal Sexuality Mix” being the choice cut. I’m getting a Bronski Beat vibe! Gotta love the commercial dance vibe of the “New York Mix” with extra keyboards from Peter Schwartz and clean production by The Hit Factories, Michael Hutchinson.
NEW LINK 2018
https://www45.zippyshare.com/v/icU4gAHm/file.html
Morgan Creek Records – MCPRO 0001-1
A1 | Free Love (New York Mix) | 7:14 |
A2 | Free Love (Radio Edit) | 3:49 |
B1 | Free Love (Brutal Sexuality Mix) | 7:45 |
B2 | Free Love (Dub Mix) | 5:27 |
Voice Farm – Johnny Belinda (US 12″)
Last offering is this earlier release from 1987 on the legendary Ralph Records (where Yello first released stuff) More primitive sounding and experimental and my current favourite, all about a weekend Transvestite. Remixed by Sir Arthur who did some Skinny Puppy stuff around the same time. The instrumental version has some great sounds and spacey layers. The B-side “Super EQ Team” is an hypnotic instrumental with more random samples. Definitely ahead of their time, love it!
NEW LINK 2018
https://www63.zippyshare.com/v/TBXAHspp/file.html
Ralph Records – RR 87561
A1 –Johnny Belinda: Extended Dance Mix –6:48
A2 –Johnny Belinda: Instrumental –7:27
B – Super EQ Team: Extended Dance Mix – 7:22